Building Momentum: 2026 SheBelieves Cup Recap | OneFootball

The U.S. Women’s National Team won its eighth title at the SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa, after opening the tournament with a 2-0 win over Argentina in Nashville, Tenn. followed by two 1-0 victories, against Canada in Columbus, Ohio, and Colombia in Harrison, New Jersey, respectively.

“Winning major things requires different approaches in every game,” U.S. head coach Emma Hayes said. “We showed all those sides in all three games. We've shown how to win when we're not at our best. We'veshown versatility, depth, maturity. As a coach, I'm happy about those things.”

The USWNT has won all five of its matches this year, with each game featuring a different starting lineup. Player development has been at the forefront of Hayes’ mind going into World Cup qualifying later this year, and the 2026 SheBelieves Cup gave fans an idea of what to expect from the team come November.

Developing connections

The 2026 SheBelieves Cup roster marked the return of many veterans who were absent from the January matches against Paraguay and Chile, including captain Lindsey Heaps and eight-time SBC champion Emily Sonnett. Hayes highlighted the importance of their returns as she looks to develop different pairings across the pitch.

Heaps’ familiarity with OL Lyonnes teammate Lily Yohannes showed in the midfield, especially against Argentina. The second and third matches allowed another look at the midfield trio of Rose Lavelle, Claire Hutton and Sam Coffey, which last started together in the 3-0 win over Canada in July 2025 when all three had goal contributions.

“I remember times we didn’t have enough midfield options,” Hayes said. “We have plenty of options (now). We’ve got some really good, strong foundations to build on. Now, I have to keep putting together the different combinations, so they develop relationships.”

Defensively, Hayes said before the tournament that Sonnett and Naomi Girma were her preferred center back pairing, but she was interested to see how other defenders filled in behind them.

“I think Tara (Rudd) was a big difference,” Hayes said after Rudd replaced Girma at halftime against Colombia. “She came in with physicality, and she sped up our play when she was driving into the midfield.”

The center back player pool could soon also feature 2024 Olympic starter Tierna Davidson, who was just removed from Gotham FC’s Season-Ending Injury List following an ACL tear just over a year ago.

Dominant defense

The entire defensive unit looked organized and tough to beat throughout the competition. The USA was the only team to not concede a goal and faced just three shots on target all tournament – one in each match. Even in the last match with Las Cafeteras rifling off eight shots before halftime, most were low-quality chances from distance.

The USWNT has now kept a clean sheet in its last eight matches, the longest streak since 2022 when the team recorded nine consecutive shutouts. The squad is averaging just one shot on target faced per game over this stretch.

“I think it’s a testament to our backline, as well as Claudia’s (Dickey) performance,” said goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. “We've really gotten our principles together, and then anything that comes our way, we just address it because our backline is really good at communicating. We're starting to get that chemistry now.”

Tullis-Joyce earned her first two caps of the year against Canada and Colombia while Dickey got the nod against Argentina. Dickey has recorded five of the clean sheets during this run with Mandy McGlynn earning the other one against Paraguay.

All three of the goalkeepers have fewer than 10 caps each. Even during these matches where they were rarely called to action, Tullis-Joyce explained the goalkeeping group is still very involved and used these matches as learning opportunities.

“Mentality-wise, when it’s a bit quiet, that can be the most stressful time,” she said. “That’s when I’m really communicating with my backline, with myself, as well, making sure that I’m present each and every moment.”

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Finding a way

All four goals for the USWNT in the SheBelieves Cup came from different scorers and at different clutch moments in each game. Three goals were from around the edge of the box, something Hayes mentioned the team adjusted to since their opponents were closing down space in the penalty area.

The veteran Heaps set the tone early with a bender from the top of the box 19 minutes into the opener. Forwards Emma Sears and Jameese Joseph set up the goal by breaking through Argentina’s pressure. The captain also assisted Jaedyn Shaw’s goal in the second half from a recycled corner kick for the 2-0 win.

A corner from Lavelle in the 55th minute of the second match resulted in the USA’s game-winner against Canada.  It gave their North American neighbor a taste of its own medicine after Canada had scored off two set pieces in its first match of the tournament against Colombia. Forward Ally Sentnor, who had missed a close-range chance just before halftime, settled the ball in tight space inside the box and blasted her shot past Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. The goal was all the USA needed to secure the 1-0 victory.

“[Ally] was menacing all evening,” Hayes said. “She made it really difficult for them to settle on the ball. I could tell she was disappointed by the opportunity she missed, but she’s so resilient.”

There was no greater show of resilience than the 1-0 win against Colombia to cap the tournament. The last time the USWNT had not scored by the 80th minute was 20 matches ago in the scoreless draw against England on Nov. 30, 2024. The 2026 SheBelieves Cup MVP Alyssa Thompson persevered and found the late breakthrough off a stunner into the upper left corner.

“It’s been a tremendous year for Alyssa for both club and country,” Hayes said. “The consistency in her play is the standout for me, in terms of being able to do things over 90 minutes and do it game after game, including a clutch moment like today. It was a wonderful finish from her.”

Tournament experience

It was the first SheBelieves Cup for both goalkeepers, forwards Joseph and Maddie Dahlien and defenders Kennedy Wesley, Lilly Reale and Avery Patterson. Being in a tournament environment was invaluable for that group, along with other young players like Sentnor and midfielder Olivia Moultrie.

Hayes applauded her squad on their maturity and emotional control during the three matches, a powerful tool to take with them into larger-scale tournaments.

“Provocation is going to happen with different types of opponents,” Hayes said. “Imagine that’s a World Cup. In a split second, we lose it, down to 10 players. I'm here to develop a whole squad to be ready for these situations, and I'm delighted that I'm putting the team in an uncomfortable position.”

The tournament also allowed Hayes to rotate through lineups during a three-game window. The substitution during the Colombia match that brought on Heaps, Moultrie, Shaw and Sears switched the team to another gear. Hayes said she has more trust in the players she brings off the bench because of this experience they’re getting now.

“The difference in the place I’m in now (versus the 2024 Olympics) is bringing Emma Sears on is going to add value to the game,” Hayes said. “Same as Olivia Moultrie, Jaedyn Shaw, Lindsey Heaps, Avery Patterson, Gisele Thompson. If people understand their roles, their responsibilities, there's clarity that it should not matter who comes in.”

The build to World Cup qualifying continues and the foundation is being set, proving why a tournament like the annual SheBelieves Cup is so important. The three matches against Japan in April will be further tests for veterans and younger players alike to show Hayes and her staff they are worthy of a coveted roster spot for the Concacaf W Championship this fall.

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